Help/Advice on Civic Issues in Bangalore

You can get help/advice on Civic issues from the following Service-Minded Organizations:

Environment Support Group:
Phone: +91-80-26713559 / 26713560

Janaagraha
40790400

Save Bangalore Committee
23561443 / 99805 16403

Mission Peach Bangalore
23344002 (for noise pollution)

Civic
9731817177

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 6, 29-Oct-2010

How to apply for a Commercial Electricity Line?

In order to obtain a commercial electricity connection, you need to provide some documents to the office of the deputy general manager of BESCOM, Bangalore. Among them are proof of ownership or occupation documents, along with attested photocopies of the documents showing the proposed location of the meter board and agreement on a Rs.50 stamp paper.

Once this is done file an application along with the registration fee at your nearest sub division office. The installation will be serviced within one month from the date of receipt of the contractor's completion-cum-test report along with the wiring diagram.

For more details, contact DGM(commercial) on 22341199 or log on to www.bescom.org/en/services.

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 08-Sep-2010

How to obtain your passport through Tatkaal Scheme

Tatkaal scheme was introduced for issuing passports for those who are in urgent need of them. Under this scheme, passports will be issued faster on payment of an additional fee.

To obtain passport through Tatkaal scheme, you have to first meet the regional passport officer along with all relevant documents of urgency and verification certificate issued by a competent authority.

If the passport officer is satisfied with the documents of urgency and genuineness off the verification certificate, he or she may order for acceptance of the additional fee amount to be deposited. You will also be given a date to collect the passport.

For more details, contact Passport Office Bangalore on 080-25706100 or log on to www.passport.gov.in

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 10-Sep-2010

Also check this experience of Passport Seva Kendra service

Celebrate anniversaries and birthdays by sponsoring a dialysis

Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Kidney Disease and Transplantation (NIK) is launching a life saving program - Celebrating Dialysis - on March 11 to mark World Kidney Day. Public can sponsor dialysis treatments for patients in the hospital as part of birthday, anniversary or other family celebration by paying Rs.900 per dialysis. Cheques or DDs drawn in favour of Narayana Hrudayalaya Charitable Trust, which has an income tax ATG exemption, should be sent to Lakshmi Mani, Charitable Wing Manager, Narayana Hrudayala, No. 258/A, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Anekal Taluk. For more details, call 9980071875.

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 3, 11-Mar-2010

How to install Rain Water Harvesting System at Home

Rainwater harvesting in urban areas is the process of collecting, filtering and using rainwater, which falls on rooftops and in the portico of the house. The concept can be adopted ni three ways: by recharging bore wells near homes, recharging ground water sources and collecting rainwater for reuse so that power can be saved.

Water falling on flat roofs is directed to run through pipes and is prevented from flowing off to the drains. The water is filtered and stored in tanks. For sloped roofs, a gutter should be attached to roofs and water collected to be made to go through a pipe attached to the end of gutter.

For details, call 080-23341652 or 155313 or log on to www.kscst.iisc.ernet.in/rwh.html or www.bwssb.org

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 10-Mar-2010

Dial or send an SMS to 139 for railway information

Services of the Indian Railways Information cell number 139 has now been extended to all types of mobile, landline and wireless local loop (WLL) service providers. Passengers can either call or send an SMS to the number to obtain information with regard to the PNR status, availability of berths, arrival/departure of trains and train running information. STD code need not be used to call this information cell, a railway release said.

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 2, 19-Jan-2010

How to proceed if you face problems related to power

To register complaints with regard to electricity problems, the BESCOM customer has to contact the executive engineer or file complaints at a 24-hour helpline. While lodging complaints, customers have to give their names, addresses, telephone numbers and the nearest landmark along with details of the complaint. The complainants will be given docket numbers. The BESCOM workers have to attend to the complaints within two hours. If they fail in this, the customer can contact 080-22252035.

Complaints can be lodged at the 24-hour helpline 080-22370711/22/33/44 or centralized complaints 1-600-338-017. The executive engineer can be contacted at 2228 7118 / 2228 119 / 2235 5180/98442 44639.

For more details, contact : 080-22276366

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 12-Jan-2010

How to get police verification while purchasing a used vehicle

To get a police verification done for purchasing a used vehicle, one can approach the single window counter at the Bangalore City Police Commissioner's office. This was started by the City Crime Records Bureau and the State Crime Records Bureau and one can also verify all other details of the vehicle.

The public should pay a fee of Rs.20 and get details such as whether the vehicle was stolen or it has been used for committing any crime. Any detail of the vehicle can be obtained from any part of the country if citizens approach the office of the police commissioner. Details can also be obtained from City Traffic office situated in Shivajinagar.

For details, contact: 080-22943165

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 08-Jan-2010

How to get a tamper-proof PAN card if the existing one is damaged

A permanent account number (PAN) card is considered damaged when the name is not clearly visible, the photograph is spoiled, the sheet has come off, the card is broken or the seperated sheet is torn or tampered with.

For obtaining a tamper-proof PAN card, a fresh application has to be made in form 49A to Income Tax PAN Service Centre. Details of the existing PAN card have to be given in the form while surrendering it. A sum of Rs.60 has to be paid along with the filled-in application form. This facility is available at various UTI pan centres or at the income tax head office.

For details, contact 080-22860096 / 080-22860094 or log on to: www.tin-nsdl.com

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 05-Jan-2010

How to apply for a commercial electricity connection?

Completion or occupancy certificate from the local authority is required to apply for commercial electricity connection.

Additionally, one has to provide documents proving the ownership or occupation, along with attested copies of the documents showing the proposed location of the meter board. An agreement should also be made on Rs.50 stamp paper.

The application for commercial electricity connection should be filled at the nearest BESCOM sub-divisional office, and remit the required registration fee. The power installation will be serviced within a month from the date of receipt of the licensed contractor's report.

For details, contact: 080 22341199 or log on to www.bescom.org/en/services

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 09-Dec-2009

What steps to take if you are stopped by a traffic police just to check documents

According to orders given to all traffic policemen, they are not supposed to stop any motorist just for checking documents. The motorists have the right to refuse the officer's request. However, motorist's documents can be checked if an offense has been committed. If a motorist has been stopped without any reason, he can note down the name and rank of the police officer and lodge a complaint on the website or email.

The complainant would be required to mention details for necessary action to be taken. Complaints can be mailed at addlcptrafficbcp@gmail.com

For details, contact: 080-25588444/555 or log on to www.bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 08-Dec-2009

Dr. Radha Murthy's war against age

Dr. Radha S Murthy, fournder of the Nightingales Medical Trust, has made it her life's work to provide help and support - physical and emotional - to the elderly.

Nightingales Elders Enrichment Centre:
080-23342929 and 080-41244017
Sandhya Kiran: 080-41242448 and 080-41248440
Elder's Helpline: 1090 or Office of Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) at 080-22943226

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 12, 06-Dec-2009

Additional Info:
Nightingales Elder Care Website

Whom to complain against smokers in public places

If you come across anyone smoking in public places such as hotels, pubs, clubs, bar, bus stations and other places, you can bring it to the notice of the medical officer of that particular ward.
Complaints can be made against the person who is indulging in smoking and also the owner of the place. In such cases, call up the BBMP helpline and give them details of the location. The officials at control room will give you the telephone number of the medical officer of the ward to whom you can complain.
A fine of Rs.200 will be collected from the offender. The proprietor, who runs the public place, will have to pay Rs.200 for each offender.

For details, contact: 22221188/22660000

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 25-Nov-2009

Who all are eligible to apply for a BDA site?

A person who is domiciled in Karnataka for not less than 15 years prior to the date of registration can apply for a Bangalore Development Authority site. The applicant should be 18 years of age.
Officers belonging to All India Services and serving either in Karnataka or outside, who have a minimum of two years domicile prior to the issue of the notification, are also eligible to apply.
However any persons, whose family members or dependents of the family own a site or a house or have been allotted a house or site by BDA or a co-operative society, is not eligible to apply.

For details, contact 080-23442271 or log on to www.bdabangalore.org

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 24-Nov-2009

Exceptions where incomes of family members are clubbed for charging Income Tax

Each member of the family will be charged separately on his or her income. There are, however, certain exceptions as stated in section 64 of the Income-tax Act.
The income arising to the spouse of an individual directly or indirectly from assets transferred directly or indirectly to the spouse by such an individual other than for adequate consideration or in connection with an agreement to live apart shall be included in the income of the individual.
All incomes of a minor above Rs.1,500 shall be included in the income of that parent of the child whose total income excluding the minor's income is greater.

For details, log on to www.incometaxbangalore.org

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 21-Nov-2009

What is Master Pass and How it will help Motorists

Motorists have to carry their original driving license (DL) and insurance certificate. These documents should be produced for inspection if asked for by a traffic police. But there is provision under the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules to obtain a 'master pass' for 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers from the RTO which is a proof that the driver has valid documents which includes certificate of registration, taxation card, insurance certificate and DL.

If a motorist is carrying a master pass, there is no need to carry a DL and insurance certificate. Traffic police officers have been instructed not to stop motorists to check documents.

For details, contact: 080-25588444 or log on to www.bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 06-Nov-2009

Whom to contact if BWSSB Officials have not responded to your complaint

While filing an application for change of water pipeline connection or for new connection or any problem, if the water officials fail to respond with 7 days, people can approach the various water adalats which are held in the city.

There are grievance redressal meetings convened once a month. They are chaired by the executive engineers. There are 17 sub-divisional offices where meetings are held.

People can use the water adalats to resolve problems related to billing, water supply, underground drainage etc.

For details, contact: 22945105 or log on to www.bwssb.org

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 27-Oct-2009

Whom to contact for registering civic complaints

Prahari is a 27x4 helpline set up by the civic body for registering civic complaints.

The Prahari squad will attend to problems like garbage collection, construction of unauthorised buildings or tree felling in your area. once you lodge the complaint, the squad will reach the spot in 30 minutes. Six patrol vehicles and over 25 rescue workers remain on call. On an average, Prahari receives more than 30 calls per day and up to 50 calls on holidays. Calls increase during the monsoon as flooding and tree felling cases will be on the rise.

The squad prevents dumping of garbage into drains and open places. It also handles calls on waste meat dumped in parks.

For details, contact: 2222-1188, 2229-7595, 2210-0031/32/33/34/35.


Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 28-Oct-2009

How to obtain license for your pet

If you have a pet at home, it is mandatory to obtain a license from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahananagara Palike (BBMP) for the security of the dog. Many pet lovers seem to be not aware of this.

Applications and licenses for pet dogs can be obtained from respective BBMP sub-health offices. Before applying for a license, vaccinate your dog and produce a vaccination certificate from a veterinary surgeon.

Licenses will be valid only for a year and have to be renewed annually. For applications for licenses, walk into any of the BBMP health offices in your zone from Monday to Saturday between 10am to 5:30pm. The application costs Rs.10 and the license costs Rs.100.

For further details, you can contact the BBMP health offices in your zone - 22221188

Send your suggestions at speakupdna@gmail.com

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 22-Jun-2009

How to apply for a New Power (Electricity) Connection?

The application in the prescribed form should be registered by the licensee at the jurisdictional section/sub-division office on payment of registration-cum-processing fee.

For permanent supply, along with the application, you need to have to register application with proof of ownership/occupation documents, attested true copies or photostat copies of the documents showing the proposed location of the meter board prepared by the licensed electrical contractor and agreement on Rs.50 stamp paper in the standard format.

The installation will be serviced within 1 month from the date of receipt of the contractor's completion-cum-test report along with the wiring diagram.

For further details, you can contact helpline: 24 hours line 155313, BWSSB Office 22945100

Send your suggestions at speakupdna@gmail.com

Source: DNA Bangalore, Page 4, 11-Jun-2009